Gowdy: Entitlement changes must be addressed (AUDIO)

“If you remember only one thing, remember this: Privately in Washington, everyone agrees on what the issues are. When the cameras are off and the microphones are turned off, everyone concedes entitlement spending is driving our debt. It is very poor politics, as Paul Ryan’s budget proved. He was excoriated and vilified when he came out with a budget that took on entitlements. The safest thing to do is to not talk about it.”

“But if you’re serious about solving our fiscal woes, you can’t talk about anything other than entitlements.”

That’s the message 4th District Congressman Trey Gowdy took to a group of civic leaders in Columbia Monday. He gave a 40-minute Powerpoint presentation, breaking down the federal debt and spending.

“By 2031, all of the revenue produced by this, the most powerful economy on the face of the planet, will be sufficient only for Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, by 2031,” Gowdy says. ”

And when asked if compromise is possible, based on what he has seen in his short time in office.

“I think you will see compromise in the last term of most people’s political careers. And I say that with a sad heart, to be honest with you. Primary politics is different than general election politics,” Gowdy answered.

Gowdy, speaking to the Columbia Rotary Club, with colleague Joe Wilson in attendance, said taking on entitlements mean “People rising up and saying, ‘Quit the 30-seconds, quit running ads that suggest that people don’t like old people and people don’t like children. Just stop that.’

“And require as much from your members of Congress as you do your preachers. You wouldn’t put up with this from your preacher. You wouldn’t put up with this from your solicitor. Don’t put up with this from any of your elected officials either, ” Gowdy concluded.